Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers (RFOV) is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote stewardship of our public lands by engaging the community in volunteer trail and restoration projects.

Summary

Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers (RFOV) is seeking an exceptional Executive Director (ED) to lead our organization, setting the vision for the future of our outdoor stewardship legacy. Our non-profit was founded in 1995 by a small group of locals who saw the need for a volunteer organization to work in partnership with the public agencies and municipalities with the goal of managing, preserving and protecting our public lands together. Almost 25 years later we have established ourselves as a leader in outdoor stewardship, strengthening our local communities and youth through our mission: to promote stewardship of our public lands by engaging the community in volunteer trail and restoration projects.

RFOV has grown significantly from that first year of three projects and 120 volunteers. Since then we have engaged almost 30,000 volunteers, built 49 miles of trail, maintained another 534 miles of trail and created 22 acres of wetland with our volunteers, staff and partnerships. We continue to increase our capacity, adding several new programs, including our Young Stewards Initiative which, last year alone, engaged 3,877 local kids to learn about stewardship and the outdoors. We have grown to a staff of five (not including the Executive Director): Development Coordinator (part-time); Youth Program Coordinator; Youth Program Assistant; Marketing, Program, & Administrative Coordinator; and Seasonal Field Coordinator.

RFOV’s programming includes Public Trail and Restoration Projects; Young Stewards Initiative; Group Work Days with local businesses and organizations; Volunteer Committees (Volunteer Development, Marketing and Publications, Project Selection, Tools, and Special Events); Crew Leader Training; and Trail Ambassadors.

We are seeking a visionary leader, strategist, and partner to the Board and staff in the continual achievement of RFOV’s advocacy for outdoor stewardship and full mission-focused alignment of operations, systems, and culture. The new ED will be a collaborative and community-driven advocate for outdoor stewardship, a self-directed and inclusive leader with outstanding organizational management skills and experience building and supporting high-functioning teams.

The ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities and attributes:

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and is accountable for leading the organization in pursuit of its mission, including executive leadership of RFOV and its Programs, nurturing its current and future donors, and ensuring its financial health and sustainability.

Position Description

The Executive Director (ED) is the Chief Executive Officer of RFOV and has overall strategic and operational responsibility for RFOV staff, programs, finances, fundraising, and execution of its mission. The ED is expected to have or develop a deep knowledge of the organization and the field of outdoor stewardship and volunteerism on public lands; to cultivate relationships with major donors, land managers and key members of the community; to supervise staff and create a positive work environment; and to evaluate and improve RFOV’s programs and operations.

Specific Responsibilities

Communication & Relationships

Advocate and be the spokesperson for RFOV’s mission.

Work effectively and foster positive professional relationships with the Board of Directors, donors, volunteers, staff, land management agencies and other organizations and partners.

Establish and nurture cooperative arrangements with land managers and community groups.

Ensure successful marketing of events, programs, and communications with a wide variety of audiences.

Engage the community through public speaking at large and small events.

Staff & Volunteer Management

Recruit, value and effectively engage and manage employees and volunteers.

Promote active and broad participation by volunteers in all areas of the organization’s work.

Promote positive and meaningful employee and volunteer experiences.

Financial & Fundraising

Take responsibility for RFOV’s overall fiscal integrity.

Expand revenue and fundraising activities to support existing and future program operations and staffing levels.

Work effectively with the Development Coordinator to secure funding from Large Donors and Foundations.

Work with staff, Finance Committee, and Board to prepare annual budget.

Operate the organization within budget guidelines.

Report financial condition to the Board in a regular, timely, and accurate manner.

Ensure compliance with all federal, state and local tax reporting obligations, including preparation of annual IRS Form 990.

Oversee payroll and liabilities.

Leadership & Organizational Management

Work with Board and staff to ensure RFOV’s mission is achieved through programs, strategic planning, and community outreach.

Align fully the mission of RFOV with its operations, systems, and internal/external culture.

Provide all relevant information to the Board, in a timely and accurate manner, in order for the Board to make informed decisions.

Implement plans and policies authorized by the Board.

Help develop, maintain, and support an effective Board.

Oversee planning and execution of all programs.

Regularly evaluate programs with the goal of improving program quality and volunteer experience.

Maintain official records and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the field of public land stewardship.

Improve organizational management of RFOV.

Desired Qualifications

Technical/Physical

A degree from a four-year college or university in Natural Resource Management, Environmental Management, Non-Profit Management, Business or related field of study, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

5+ years trail building/maintenance, conservation work or other outdoor education experience.

5+ years in a supervisory role, managing employees, volunteers or other relevant outdoor leadership experience.

Practical knowledge of methods and techniques to design, lay out and construct/reconstruct natural surface trails.

The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion. The work projects may require hiking up to 7 miles per day at altitude, using heavy hand tools, performing extensive heavy stonework, and working and contributing as part of a team.

Computer skills, including Microsoft Office software, QuickBooks and experience with social media and on-line technology.

Leadership

Exceptional capacity for managing and leading people: a team leader who has experience in growing organizational capacity along with the ability to build staff loyalty and ensure staff accountability.

Outdoor leadership experience (or other leadership background).

Experience working with youth outdoors or in other educational settings.

A strong passion for leading a diverse range of volunteers.

Self-directed, highly motivated, reliable, with a result and solution-oriented perspective, organized with an attention to detail, flexible with strong time-management skills.

Excellent communication, motivational, and interpersonal skills applicable to a group outdoor setting.

Strong conservation ethic and belief in RFOV’s mission.

Management

Experience managing and cultivating employees.

Experience working for or with land management agencies.

Experience in environmental education.

Excellent organizational, planning, and logistical skills.

Ability to manage multiple tasks and to delegate as necessary.

Ability to proactively solve problems, work independently, and be creative and resourceful.

Professional written and verbal communication skills, including a professional appearance and positive demeanor.

All Applicants Must Have:

Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Current valid driver’s license and good driving record.

Certification in either a) Wilderness First Aid and CPR, or b) Wilderness First Responder (or can achieve certification upon hire).

A personal vehicle for transportation to project locations.

Ability to pass a criminal background check.

Adequate personal outdoor and hiking equipment.

Work Schedule

The weekly work schedule will be variable with weekend and occasional evenings required. Travel with a personal vehicle is required.